Discord alternatives: Our top picks for online communication

Discord alternatives Discord on desktop and mobile © discord.com

Discord has become one of the most popular communication platforms for gamers, communities, and even businesses – it’s so omnipresent in online communication that we built a Memberful integration for it.

But it may not be the perfect choice for everyone. Some people prefer alternatives with better security, lower resource consumption, or more customization options. Others may want a dedicated gaming chat platform or a business-friendly alternative. If you’re looking for a Discord alternative that better suits your needs, we’ve compiled the best options available today.

So in this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top Discord alternatives, comparing their key attributes, highlighting their unique features and use cases. to help you make an informed decision for your team.

What is Discord?

Discord is a widely used communication platform designed for creating communities. It allows users to engage in real-time conversations through text, voice, and video chats. Initially created for gamers to coordinate during gameplay, Discord has evolved into a versatile platform used by various communities, including hobbyist groups, global businesses and educational institutions.

Discord offers features such as channels for organized discussions, voice channels for group calls, private messaging, and the ability to share multimedia content. It provides a user-friendly interface and supports integrations with other applications.

Discord alternatives The Discord App Directory © discord.com

One of Discord's key strengths is its accessibility across different devices, including desktop computers, smartphones, and tablets, making it convenient for users to stay connected regardless of their preferred platform. Additionally, Discord offers both free and premium subscription options, with the latter providing additional features and benefits for subscribers.

Even then you may still be keen to look into Discord alternatives. Here are some common reasons for this:

Privacy concerns: Discord's data collection policies have raised concerns among privacy-conscious users. Some alternatives offer better data encryption and more transparent privacy policies.
Feature limitations: Discord may lack specific features that certain communities or users require. Alternatives may provide more robust customization options, enhanced moderation tools, or unique integrations.
Server downtime and performance issues: Frequent downtimes or server performance issues can hinder communication. Alternatives with more stable infrastructures might be preferable for businesses or large communities.

What makes a great Discord alternative?

Before choosing an alternative, consider the key features that make a communication platform effective, and the reasons people might use one:

Voice and text chat: A smooth, real-time chat experience is essential for gaming and team collaboration.
Customization: The ability to use bots, plugins, and themes enhances user experience.
Security and privacy: Strong encryption and data protection are vital, especially for private conversations.
Cross-platform support: The best platforms work across Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Performance and reliability: No one wants a laggy experience. A good platform should run smoothly, even on low-end devices.
Scalability: Whether you're running a small team or a large gaming community, a good platform should support both.
Integration: Business tools should integrate with other productivity apps like Google Drive, Trello, or Microsoft 365.
Cost: Some platforms offer premium features, while others are completely free. Choose one that fits your budget.

By focusing on these features, you can find an alternative that fits your needs, whether you’re a gamer, business professional, or privacy-conscious user. So let’s dive in and take a look at the best Discord alternatives, according to the team here at Memberful:

Slack: Great for workforce collaboration

Slack is an industry-leading team collaboration tool designed primarily for businesses and organizations. Unlike Discord, which caters to gamers and casual communities, Slack is structured for productivity.

discord alternatives - slack Slack is a business collaboration tool - Image © slack.com*

Key features of Slack

Threaded conversations to keep discussions organized
Integration with popular work tools like Google Drive, Trello, and Asana
Custom bots and automation to streamline workflows
High-quality voice and video calls, with screen-sharing functionality
Robust security features including two-factor authentication

Who should use Slack?

Slack is ideal for corporate teams, remote workers, and startups that need a professional workspace for seamless communication.

Microsoft Teams: Great for professional workspaces

Microsoft Teams is a powerful enterprise-grade collaboration tool, designed for professional environments. It integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, making it an excellent choice for businesses that already use Microsoft’s suite of tools.

Microsoft Teams Teams is for enterprise-grade collaboration - Image © microsoft.com

Key features of Microsoft Teams

Native-level integration with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
High-quality video conferencing with meeting scheduling
Built-in file sharing and cloud storage through OneDrive
Multiple communication channels, including group chats and direct messaging
Strong security and compliance for enterprise-level organizations

Who should use Microsoft Teams?

Microsoft Teams is best for corporate teams, educational institutions, and businesses that need secure and feature-rich communication tools.

Telegram: Secure and lightweight

Telegram is a fast, cloud-based messaging app that places a strong emphasis on security and performance. Unlike Discord, Telegram allows end-to-end encrypted chats and self-destructing messages, making it one of the most secure messaging apps available.

Telegram offers cloud-based messaging - Image © telegram.org

Key features of Telegram

Cloud-based messaging – chats sync across all devices
Secret Chats with self-destructing messages
Massive group chat support, with up to 200,000 members per group
Free unlimited cloud storage for sharing files
Advanced bot support to automate tasks

Who should use Telegram?

Telegram is perfect for users who prioritise privacy and security, as well as communities and businesses that need a lightweight, fast messaging app.

Element (Matrix): Open-source and decentralized

Element, built on the Matrix protocol, is an open-source alternative to Discord that focuses on decentralization and security. Unlike centralized platforms like Discord, Element allows you to self-host your server, giving you complete control over your data.

discord alternatives - element Element focuses on decentralization - Image © element.io

Key features of Element

Fully open-source and customizable
Decentralized network, so there’s no single company controlling your data
End-to-end encryption for maximum privacy
Bridges to connect with Slack, Discord, and other platforms
Supports video, voice, and text chat

Who should use Element?

Element is perfect for privacy-focused users, tech enthusiasts, and organizations that want full control over their communication system.

Discourse: Great for community forums

Discourse is an open-source discussion platform designed for structured, forum-style conversations. Unlike Discord, which focuses on instant messaging, Discourse is ideal for long-term discussions, knowledge management, and community-driven engagement. We also offer a Memberful integration with Discourse.

discord alternatives - discourse Discourse offers open-source discussion - Image © discourse.org

Key features of Discourse

Open-source and self-hostable, allowing full customization
Built-in moderation tools for managing large communities
Integration with other platforms, such as Slack, GitHub, and WordPress
Supports private messaging and categories, allowing structured conversations
Advanced search functionality, making it easy to find past discussion.
Gamification features such as badges, trust levels, and reputation points

Who should use Discourse?

Discourse is best for communities that need long-form, structured discussions instead of live chat, or companies and organizations looking for a knowledge-sharing platform.

Guilded: Gamers' best companion

Guilded is built specifically for gaming communities, making it a direct competitor to the original iteration of Discord. It offers enhanced voice quality, better team management tools, and more features for gaming clans and esports teams.

discord alternatives - guilded Guilded focuses on gaming communities - Image © guilded.gg

Key features of Guilded

Superior voice quality compared to Discord
Free integrations for gaming communities
Advanced tournament management tools
Dedicated servers with better customization options
Stronger focus on gaming communities and esports teams

Who should use Guilded?

Guilded is best for hardcore gamers, esports teams, and gaming communities that need an advanced alternative to Discord.

Mumble: Low-latency voice chat

Mumble is an open-source VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) platform focused on delivering low-latency, high-quality voice communication. Unlike Discord, which can be resource-heavy, Mumble is lightweight and optimized for minimal lag, making it ideal for competitive gaming and team communication.

discord alternatives - mumble Mumble is a VoIP platform - Image © mumble.info

Key features of Mumble

End-to-end encryption, ensuring secure voice conversations
Extremely low latency, providing real-time communication with minimal lag
Lightweight and efficient, consuming very little system memory and CPU resources
Open-source and self-hostable, allowing users to set up private servers
Push-to-talk and voice activation for improved communication control

Who should use Mumble?

Mumble is best for competitive gamers, professionals, and users who need reliable, low-latency voice communication without unnecessary extra features.

Steam Chat: Built-in gamer communication

Steam Chat is Valve’s integrated chat service that provides voice and text communication for Steam users. While it lacks many of Discord’s community features, it’s an excellent built-in alternative for gamers who primarily use Steam for gaming.

discord alternatives - steam Steam Chat provides chat for Steam's gaming users - Image © steamcommunity.com

Key features of Steam Chat

No extra software needed – available directly in the Steam client
Easy integration with Steam Friends and game invites
Group chats for team coordination
Built-in voice chat, eliminating the need for external software
Strong privacy settings, allowing users to control who can contact them

Who should use Steam Chat?

Steam Chat is perfect for casual gamers who already use Steam and don’t need an external chat application.

Wire: Privacy-focused collaboration

Wire is a privacy-centric collaboration platform offering secure messaging, voice, and video calls. Designed for businesses and professionals, Wire provides end-to-end encryption across all conversations.

discord alternatives - wire Wire provides end-to-end encryption - Image © wire.com

Key features of Wire

Enterprise-level security with strong encryption
Seamless multi-device syncing, allowing access across platforms
High-quality voice and video calls, optimized for business meetings
Team collaboration tools, including file sharing and task management
No ads or tracking, ensuring private communication

Who should use Wire?

Wire is best for business teams, privacy advocates, and professionals who need a highly secure communication platform.

Chanty: Simple team communication

Chanty is a lightweight, easy-to-use team chat platform that offers a simple yet effective way to communicate without the complexity of Slack or Discord.

discord alternatives - chanty Chanty is quick and lightweight - Image © chanty.com

Key features of Chanty

Simple UI, making it easy for new users to adapt
Task management tools, allowing teams to assign and track tasks
Threaded messaging for structured discussions
Affordable pricing, making it ideal for small teams and startups
Voice and video calls for team collaboration

Who should use Chanty?

Chanty is best for small businesses, startups, and teams looking for a simple and affordable Slack alternative.

Facebook Groups: Community-based interaction

Facebook Groups allow large communities to communicate and share information in a structured way. While not necessarily a direct alternative to Discord, it provides a great way for communities to stay connected.

Key features of Facebook Groups

Threaded discussions for organized conversations
Large group support, with millions of users per group
Built-in event planning and announcements
Multi-platform access, available on web and mobile
Integration with Facebook Live for streaming

Who should use Facebook Groups?

Facebook Groups are great for community leaders, hobbyists, and organizations who want a forum-style communication platform.

Reddit: Forum-style community chat

Reddit is a forum-based platform where users can engage in structured discussions and real-time chatrooms (via Reddit Chat). While not a direct competitor to Discord, Reddit serves as an excellent alternative for large-scale communities that prefer threaded discussions over live chat.

Key features of Reddit

Subreddit-based organization, allowing users to join interest-based communities.
Reddit Chat, offering both one-on-one and group messaging.
Threaded discussions, making it easy to find relevant content.
Upvoting/downvoting system for content moderation and quality control.
Integration with media, allowing users to share videos, images, and links easily.

Who should use Reddit?

Reddit is ideal for users who prefer forum-style discussions over real-time messaging. It’s also great for community leaders who want structured, long-lasting conversations rather than ephemeral chats.

WhatsApp: Easy group messaging

WhatsApp is a widely used messaging app that offers group chats, voice calls, and video calls. While it doesn’t provide the same server-based community management as Discord, it’s a great alternative for small teams and personal groups.

Key features of WhatsApp

Free, cross-platform messaging with end-to-end encryption.
Group chats with up to 1024 participants.
High-quality voice and video calls with up to 32 people at once.
Business-friendly features, such as WhatsApp Business for companies.
File sharing, status updates, and voice messaging.

Who should use WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is perfect for families, small businesses, and teams that need a simple, encrypted messaging platform without the complexity of Discord.

FAQs about Discord alternatives

What is the best alternative for gamers?

For gamers, the top alternatives to Discord are Guilded, Mumble, and Steam Chat. These platforms offer low-latency voice chat and gaming-focused features.

Which alternative is the most secure?

For maximum security and privacy, Telegram and Wire are the best choices. These platforms offer end-to-end encryption and decentralized communication.

What’s the best business-focused alternative?

If you need a business-friendly alternative, consider Slack or Microsoft Teams. These platforms provide structured communication, integration with work tools, and enterprise-level security.

Is there a completely free alternative to Discord?

Yes! Mumble, Telegram, and Element are all free and open-source alternatives that provide similar or better features than Discord.

Which alternative works best for large communities?

If you need large-scale community support, Reddit, Facebook Groups, and Telegram allow you to engage with thousands to millions of users.

Can I use multiple alternatives at the same time?

Absolutely! Many people use different platforms for different purposes. For example, you can use Slack for work, Discord for gaming, and WhatsApp for personal chats.

Conclusion: Which Discord alternative should you choose?

There is no one-size-fits-all alternative to Discord—the best choice depends on your specific needs. You might like to categorize yourself as one of the below types of users and this may help to narrow down your choice:

Gamers – Guilded, Mumble and Steam Chat
Business teams – Slack, Microsoft Teams and Wire
Casual and social users – WhatsApp and Telegram
Large community leaders – Reddit and Facebook Groups

Each of these alternatives offers unique benefits depending on how you want to communicate. Whether you’re a gamer looking for better voice chat, a business needing structured team collaboration, or a privacy-conscious user seeking encryption and decentralization, there’s an option that fits your needs. We hope you find the best choice for your needs!